A VIOLENT and destructive storm is hurtling across the Atlantic and will smash into Britain TONIGHT.
Storm Brigid is expected to first hit UK shores later this afternoon before the full force of the onslaught rips into the country tomorrow.
Experts say it threatens to cause destruction on a par with the ferocious October St Jude’s Day Storm and subsequent Storm Emily which hit in December.
It came as figures show some areas of England have already had their wettest January since records began.
The Met Office said much of the south and Midlands already had twice the average rainfall for January by midnight on Tuesday - with three days still left in the month.
Several inches of rain are likely to fall in a matter of hours through the next few days, sealing the record for England’s wettest winter in history.
So far eight inches of rain have fallen since the beginning of December, with just eight more needed to beat the 1914/15 record of 16.
Officials have warned Britain will be crippled by frenzied winds capable of up ripping trees and tearing roof slates from buildings.
Rivers already close to overflowing are likely to burst their banks sparking a torrent of flood warnings and alerts across the nation.
Forecasters have warned a run of storms are lined up in the Atlantic threatening torrential rain and gales for at least a week.
Swathes of the country have been left under inches of water after heavy and relentless rain which has held out for weeks.
Government forecasters have issued a raft of severe weather warnings for rain today and tomorrow across the south with more than an inch expected.
There are also warnings for severe gale-force winds and potentially destructive waves along the west coast at the weekend.
A further Met Office warning has been issued for snow across Scotland tomorrow with brutal gales expected to trigger blizzards.
Storm Brigid will bring yet more chaos to coastal owns like Aberystwyth [EPA]The public should be aware of the likelihood of disruptive weather with impacts to travel and power supplies
He said: “Another very deep area of low pressure will spread heavy rain and strong to gale force winds eastwards across the UK before the associated frontal systemsclear the southeast of England during the early hours of Saturday.
“A band of heavy rain, reaching the west coast of Scotland, will spread eastwards across the rest of Scotland during the day, with the rain turning increasingly to snow as it moves eastwards.
“The snow and heavy rain will also be accompanied by gale force winds, which may lead to localised disruption due to coastal flooding.
“The public should be aware of the likelihood of a spell of disruptive wintry weather, with impacts to travel and perhaps also to power supplies.”
Storm Brigid will bring 'apocalyptic' conditions to the UK [SWNS]
Motorists have been warned to expect chaos this weekend [PA]The Environment Agency also warned of the risk of coastal flooding over the next few days and issued 159 flood alerts and 29 more serious flood warnings.
A spokesman said: “A low pressure system combining with high tides could cause coastal flooding around England over the weekend.
“Strong winds and large waves will increase the risk of spray and wave over-topping in coastal areas during this period and some disruption from coastal flooding is possible.
“The Environment Agency and Met Office are continuing to monitor the situation closely. Local authorities will respond to any reports of surface water flooding.”
To add to the misery, plunging temperatures in the north will bring bitter winter gales, blizzards and more than eight inches of snow.
Leon Brown, forecaster for The Weather Channel, said parts of the highlands of Scotland are even at risk of potentially catastrophic “avalanches”.
He warned Brigid could pack a punch on a par with December’s storm Emily which saw gusts of 142mph last parts of Scotland.
He said: “Blizzard conditions will develop over the Highlands with heavy rain sweeping across southern to eastern Britain in the afternoon and overnight.
“More than 20cm of snow is also likely over the southern Highlands and Grampians with significant drifting bringing an increasing risk of avalanches.
“The centre of Brigid will bring gales and squally showers to the rest of Britain on Saturday afternoon.
“More wet and windy weather is edging east on Monday, and we can expect more stormy spells of weather later next week, especially Thursday and Friday.”
Anne Bourmer wades through flood water outside her home in Hooe, East Sussex [PA]A deep low pressure system off the coast is timed to coincide with high tides sparking warnings of colossal coastal storm surges.
Jonathan Powell, forecaster for Vantage Weather Services, said ferocious storms threaten to hold out until the end of next week.
He said a deep area of low pressure currently hurtling towards the UK will unleash 90mph gales and bring inches of rain in a mater of hours.
He said: “A very intense low pressure system is coming in from the Atlantic which is going to affect the whole of the country.
“The weekend and into Monday and Tuesday is looking very bad with another battering due at the end of next week.
“Fierce winds along the coast will whip up large waves capable of breaching defences, in colder parts of the north the rain will turn to snow.”
Netweather forecaster Jo Farrow said: “Friday night rush hour will be miserable with strong southerly winds and heavy rain and sleet. Conditions on the roads will be difficult.
“As that clears there could be some stormy weather for southern Britain on Saturday as another low pressure moves in, bringing westerly gales through the Channel.”
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